With A Twist

THIRTY-SIX (ATLAS)

Theo smirks as we watch Dominik get roughly pulled into the room by two guards. They slump him down in the wooden chair opposite the four of us.

With Sean guarding Hazel, along with a few other guards, we felt it was safe for all of us to be present for this. 

To find out what Dominik has to say. 

He looks at us all through swollen eyes, his face battered and covered in bruises, which are slowly turning green. 

Andros lets out a low whistle whilst Dawson scoffs and nudges Theo, who admires his handiwork proudly. 

I roll my eyes at my idiot friends. 

Andros and Dawson take their places leaning against the wall, not wishing to get involved like Theo and I will. 

Theo sits next to me, a permanent scowl etched on his face as he sits back lazily in the oak chair. 

Clearing my throat, I lean forward and clasp my hands together on the table, staring straight at Dominik.

"What do you have for us?" I dive straight into it, seeing no need for pleasantries since one of my best friends has been beating him black and blue for the past week. 

"Do you trust me, now?" Dominik raises his eyebrow in a desperate attempt at humour. 

"No," Theo growls, crossing his arms over his chest as he leans back in the chair. 

"Just get to the point," Andros sighs behind me.

"Dmitri never fully rose back since a few years ago when we went into hiding," Dominik starts, "So when Alexei came along and offered to help build ranks again, he jumped at the chance."

He stops and I raise my eyebrows for him to continue. 

"Can I get some water?" he asks, earning a devious chuckle from Dawson, who still says nothing. 

"No," I say, "Continue."

He clears his throat, "Well anyway, Alexei kind of acted like a father figure to my brother and I. He helped us recruit from Russia, keep our location off the books and build an arsenal of weapons. After about a year of his help, the mafia was becoming stronger again. Then he brought Hazel into it..."

"Don't say her name," red flashes in my eyes as I spit at him but I keep my cool. 

Theo starts muttering about stabbing him in the leg but I turn and glare at him to stop. 

"Sorry," Dominik apologises sincerely and I nod. "Alexei said he had a daughter and could promise her to us. We needed an heir and Alexei knew how desperate Dmitri wanted to have a son he could brag about. He said he knew how to get her to submit," he takes a sharp inhale of breath, "I started getting suspicious, then."

"So what did you do?" Theo asks impatiently. 

"I talked to Dmitri but he was too blindsided by the idea of having a son, he didn't care how it happened. He ranks higher by being about an hour older, so his decision is final. I tried to argue but he threatened to sell me out to... well... you guys."